What's wrong with having a large harem if you're the emperor of the ninja world?

In the past few days.

Several small-scale probing clashes have broken out between the two sides, resulting in casualties on both sides.

But strangely, no large-scale war ever occurred.

Iwagakure Village seems to be observing.

The Konoha side, on the other hand, appeared unusually patient, simply holding their defensive line.

A rather strange phenomenon is...

Among the casualties suffered by Konoha in these small-scale conflicts.

Surprisingly, it included a considerable number of members of the Hyuga main family and high-ranking figures from various other families.

Their deaths often appear to be caused by "accidental" killings by Iwagakure ninja in the chaos.

But upon closer examination, it reveals an inexplicable mystery.

Inside the front-line camp of Iwagakure Village.

Huang Tu, a tall and robust man who appeared calm and reliable, was staring intently at the intelligence scrolls in his hands with a furrowed brow and an unusually serious expression.

Beside him, his daughter, Heitu, appeared somewhat agitated and uneasy.

　"June 13th" She possesses a pair of enviable, long, and beautiful legs, and at this moment she is impatiently kicking at the pebbles on the ground, complaining:

"Dad! Are we still going to fight or not?"

"The morale of the Konoha troops is clearly low. In the past few days, even several of the Hyuga main family's precious members have been lost in the fighting!"

"This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!"

"Maybe if we put in a little more effort, we can actually win back a few of those glares! The old man will be so happy!"

Black Earth's face was full of eager fighting spirit, feeling that his side had a great advantage.

However, Huang Tu slowly put down the scroll in his hand, sighed heavily, and made a decision that left Hei Tu dumbfounded:

"We can't fight anymore. Pass down the order: all units should withdraw from the border in an orderly manner and prepare to... withdraw and return home."

"What? Withdraw the troops?"

Kurotsuchi jumped up suddenly, her bright green eyes wide open, almost thinking she had misheard. "Why? Konoha is currently in turmoil and is at its weakest."

"Instead of taking advantage of the opportunity to seize a big bite out of the market, we're going to retreat? Dad, are you out of your mind?!"

Huang Tu raised his head, his face showing an extremely complex and solemn expression.

He handed a newly encrypted scroll to Heitu:

"See for yourself. This is the highest order we just received from the village."

Hei Tu grabbed the scroll and quickly scanned it, his expression becoming increasingly interesting with each page he read.

The information on the scroll mainly consists of two points:

First, the internal strife in Konoha has been quelled.

The Fire Country Emperor, named Di Yan, completely seized control of Konoha with swift and decisive measures.

The Fifth Hokage, Tsunade, and her superiors have all submitted.

Konoha did not fall into prolonged chaos; instead, it was quickly integrated.

Secondly, there is unusual activity in Sunagakure Village.

The Sand Village in the Land of Wind, for reasons unknown.

The sudden deployment of heavy troops on the other side of the Land of Earth's border has created a serious threat.

Seeing his daughter's shocked expression, Huang Tu said in a deep voice:

"Do you understand? The internal strife in Konoha is over."

"That emperor was exceptionally capable. We are now facing an opponent who has completed internal integration and may even be more dangerous."

"What's even more fatal is that Sunagakure stabbed us in the back!"

"If we were to go to war with Konoha now... no, with the Fire Empire, Sunagakure would definitely take advantage of the situation!"

"At that time, we will be attacked from both sides, and the consequences will be unimaginable!"

He paused, his tone carrying a hint of helplessness and decisiveness:

"Therefore, the old man's decision was correct; we must retreat! Retreat immediately!"

Black Soil was processing this astonishing news, his little face filled with resentment and disbelief.

She stomped her foot in anger and couldn't help but curse:

"Just who is that damned emperor?"

"How could a mega-damiman possibly handle those ruthless people from Konoha? Is that old woman Tsunade just sitting around doing nothing?"

"Konoha is so weak! They were defeated by an outsider like that?"

She was cursing Muyecai.

But I also know the answer in my heart.

They were able to quell the internal strife in Konoha so quickly and then join forces with Sunagakure to create a strategic deterrent against Iwagakure.

The emperor I've never met.

He is definitely an extremely terrifying and troublesome character.

Ignoring his daughter's complaints, Huang Tu quickly issued a series of retreat orders.

Iwagakure's plan to take advantage of the chaos was thwarted by Di Yan's swift stabilization of the village and his unorthodox diplomatic tactics.

It had to end abruptly before it even truly began.

The tense atmosphere on the border gradually dissipated as the Iwagakure ninja army quietly withdrew.

But everyone knows it.

This is not the arrival of peace, but a brief calm before the storm.

The emperor of the Fire Empire.

He has already declared his existence and power to the entire ninja world in his own way.

...

at the same time.

The Sunagakure camp is located on the border with the Land of Earth.

The sandstorm seemed even fiercer than usual.

Inside the tent, Temari looked at her younger brother Gaara, who had a cold demeanor and seemed indifferent to everything.

Her beautiful face was filled with anxiety and worry.

Temari's slender waist tensed involuntarily as she urgently reminded him:

"Gaara, this operation was too risky!"

"First, they inexplicably started a war against Konoha, and now they've suddenly deployed troops to the border of the Land of Earth to intimidate Iwagakure."

"We've received numerous stern questions from the Daimyo's residence in the Land of Wind!"

"The Daimyo has declared that if we don't provide a reasonable explanation, he will unilaterally cut off all financial aid to Sunagakure!"

"That's the most important source of income for our village!"

As the Kazekage, he arbitrarily mobilized the ninja army for such a large-scale, cross-border operation with unclear objectives.

This is undoubtedly an extremely serious political event.

Offending the name of the funding provider was an inevitable consequence.

However, Gaara's expression remained unchanged.

It was as if all I heard were trivial, insignificant things.

His voice was flat and emotionless: "It doesn't matter. He's been finding excuses to cut off our funding every year anyway, so it's better if it's cut off."

"you!"

Temari was stunned by his attitude.

Her high, firm chest heaved violently.

Kankuro, standing beside him, couldn't help but speak up, his face grave:

"Not only the daimyo! Granny Chiyo also wrote a letter!"

She said that our operation had not achieved any results against Konoha, and that coming to the border of the Land of Earth was just a waste of resources and manpower, with no real gains.

"On the contrary, it has made the village's already strained reserves even worse!"

"She warned that if you cannot provide an explanation that will convince the elders and the major families."

"She will unite all forces to initiate... initiate the process to remove the Wind Shadow!"

Remove Feng Ying?

This is undoubtedly an extremely serious warning!

This means that Gaara's recent autocratic actions have aroused strong dissatisfaction and unease among the high-ranking officials of Sunagakure.

Despite such immense pressure, Gaara remained completely unfazed.

He even slowly turned around.

My gaze fell upon the endless yellow sand outside the window.

His tone remained calm, yet carried an unsettling certainty:

"Don't worry. Sunagakure... will soon be free from these trivial matters. We will become better."

Temari stared intently at Gaara's profile.

A long-suppressed and terrifying suspicion could no longer be contained.

She took a sudden step forward, lowered her voice, and almost bit her lip as she asked:

Gaara! Look at me! Tell me the truth!

"Are your recent unusual decisions... related to that emperor of the Land of Fire?"

"Did you...make some kind of deal with him?"

This statement came out.

Kankuro, standing next to him, widened his eyes instantly and gasped!

To make a deal with the emperor of the Land of Fire?

Sunagakure is a military force of the Land of Wind.

Is the Wind Shadow secretly making a deal with the supreme ruler of a neighboring country that could harm his own country's interests?

If this is confirmed, it would be an absolute crime of treason!

That would be enough to ruin Gaara's reputation.

They were even hunted down by the entire Hidden Sand Village!

However, to their surprise...

Gaara, who had been expressionless the whole time, changed his expression when he heard the words "Emperor of the Land of Fire".

A smile actually appeared on his face!

That wasn't a normal laugh.

It was a smile that was almost pious, a mixture of fervor, worship, and boundless longing!

He was completely different from his usual cold self!

"trade?"

Gaara repeated softly, turning his head.